Mexico and United States take first 2026 World Cup knockout spots
The round of 32 is taking shape as Mexico and the United States qualify, while Haiti and Turkiye are eliminated.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Mexico and the United States have become the first teams to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage, according to Al Jazeera. Their qualification starts to define a new round of 32, introduced after the tournament expanded to 48 teams.
As of 07:00 GMT on June 20, Al Jazeera reported that Haiti and Turkiye had been eliminated from the tournament. Both teams can no longer catch the relevant third-place teams in their groups because of the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Who has qualified
Mexico secured its place from Group A after a 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday, June 18, Al Jazeera reported. Luis Romo scored the goal that moved Mexico into top spot in the group.
The cohosts had opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa. Those two victories made Mexico the first team into the knockout phase.
The United States followed from Group D after beating Australia 2-0 on Friday, June 19, according to Al Jazeera. The US had begun the tournament with a 4-1 win over Paraguay.
Who has been eliminated
Haiti became the first side out after a 3-0 defeat to Brazil on Friday, Al Jazeera reported. Haiti, playing at its first World Cup since 1974, had also lost its opening match 1-0 to Scotland.
Turkiye was eliminated later the same day after losing 1-0 to 10-man Paraguay, according to Al Jazeera. Turkiye had opened with a 2-0 loss to Australia in its first World Cup appearance in 24 years.
How the expanded format works
The 2026 tournament sends 32 teams into the knockout phase. FIFA’s format gives places to the top two teams in each of the 12 groups, plus the eight best third-place finishers.
The round of 32 runs from June 28 to July 3. It is followed by the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place match and the final.
- Group stage: June 11 to June 27
- Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
- Round of 16: July 4 to July 7
- Quarterfinals: July 9 to July 11
- Semifinals: July 14 to July 15
- Third-place match: July 18
- Final: July 19
How ties are settled
FIFA is using head-to-head records as the first tiebreaker for teams level on points in a World Cup group, according to Al Jazeera. Goal difference across all group games comes later in the sequence.
Under FIFA’s rules, teams tied on points are first separated by points earned in matches between the tied teams, then goal difference in those head-to-head games, then goals scored in those games. If that does not settle the order, FIFA uses overall group goal difference, overall goals scored and team conduct scores based on cards for players and team officials.
If teams still cannot be separated, FIFA ranks them by the most recent men’s world rankings. For the eight best third-place teams, FIFA uses points, overall goal difference, overall goals scored, conduct score and then the world rankings.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.